Apparatus for detecting electromagnetic wave

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for detecting electromagnetic wave includes an electromagnetic wave sensor, a first electrode and a second electrode spaced from each other and electrically connected to the electromagnetic wave sensor, and a measuring device electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode. The electromagnetic wave sensor includes a carbon nanotube structure. The carbon nanotube structure includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes extending along a same direction from the first electrode to the second electrode. The measuring device is capable of measuring resistance of the carbon nanotube structure.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to copending application Ser. No.12/459,546, filed Jul. 2, 2009, entitled, “METHOD AND DEVICE FORMEASURING ELECTROMAGNETIC SIGNAL,” and application Ser. No. 12/590,622,filed Nov. 12, 2009 entitled, “METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MEASURINGPOLARIZING DIRECTION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE.”

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for detectingelectromagnetic waves and, particularly, to a carbon nanotube basedapparatus for detecting polarizing direction of electromagnetic waves.

2. Description of Related Art

Polarizing direction and intensity are two important properties of anelectromagnetic wave. One method for detecting the polarizing directionof a visible light includes disposing a polarizer and a target in thepath of the visible light, and rotating the polarizer. The polarizedvisible light goes through the polarizer and irradiates the target. Asthe polarizer rotates, the light on the target changes periodically fromthe dark to the bright. When the light on the target is darkest, thepolarizing direction of the visible light is perpendicular to thepolarizing direction of the polarizer. When the light on the target isbrightest, the polarizing direction of the visible light is parallel tothe polarizing direction of the polarizer. Thus, one can tell thepolarizing direction of the visible light by observing the light on thetarget. Similar, one can qualitatively tell the intensity of the visiblelight by observing the brightness or darkness of the visible light.

A conventional apparatus for detecting the intensity of electromagneticwaves includes a photoelectric sensor and two electrodes connected tothe photoelectric sensor. In general, to detect the intensity ofelectromagnetic waves, the photoelectric sensor is irradiated by theelectromagnetic waves. Thus, the incident electromagnetic waves can betransformed to electric signals by the photoelectric sensor, and theelectric signals can be detected.

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are a novel carbonaceous material having anextremely small size and an extremely large specific surface area.Carbon nanotubes have received a great deal of interest since the early1990s, because they have interesting and potentially useful electricaland mechanical properties, and have been widely used in a plurality offields. A disordered carbon nanotube film based apparatus for detectingelectromagnetic waves is disclosed in “Bolometric infrared photoresponseof suspended single-walled carbon nanotube films”, Science, Mikhail E.Itkis et al, vol 312, P 412(2006). The carbon nanotubes have a uniformabsorbability of electromagnetic waves having different wavelengths.When the disordered carbon nanotube film is irradiated byelectromagnetic waves having different wavelengths, the resistance ofthe disordered carbon nanotube film changes. Thus, the intensity of theincident electromagnetic waves can be detected by detecting theresistance of the irradiated disordered carbon nanotube film.

However, the above apparatus can only detect the intensity ofelectromagnetic waves, and not the polarizing direction thereof.

What is needed, therefore, is to provide an apparatus for detecting theintensity and the polarizing direction of electromagnetic waves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with referencesto the following drawings. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed uponclearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of an apparatus fordetecting electromagnetic waves.

FIG. 2 is a structural schematic view of a carbon nanotube segment in adrawn carbon nanotube film used in the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image of the drawncarbon nanotube film used in the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a SEM image of a carbon nanotube film consisting of acarbon nanotube segment.

FIG. 5 is a structural schematic view of a carbon nanotube wirestructure bent orderly in a surface in the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a SEM image of a non-twisted carbon nanotube wire used in theapparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a SEM image of a twisted carbon nanotube wire used in theapparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a relationship between a resistance changingrate of an electromagnetic wave sensor and a response time of theapparatus of FIG. 1 in vacuum.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a relationship between the resistancechanging rate of the electromagnetic wave sensor and the response timeof the apparatus of FIG. 1 in non-vacuum.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of an apparatus fordetecting electromagnetic wave.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an electromagnetic wave sensor used inthe apparatus of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method for measuring theelectromagnetic wave.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a relationship between a resistance of theelectromagnetic wave sensor and an angle between a polarizing directionof the electromagnetic wave and a length direction of carbon nanotubesin a carbon nanotube structure in the apparatus of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of an apparatus 10 for detectingelectromagnetic waves includes an electromagnetic wave sensor 12, afirst electrode 14, a second electrode 16, and a measuring device 18.The first electrode 14 and the second electrode 16 are spaced apart fromeach other and electrically connected to the electromagnetic wave sensor12. The measuring device 18 is electrically connected to the first andsecond electrodes 14, 16.

The electromagnetic wave sensor 12 includes a carbon nanotube structure.In one embodiment, the electromagnetic wave sensor 12 is made of thecarbon nanotube structure.

The carbon nanotube structure is made only of a plurality of carbonnanotubes. The carbon nanotubes can be orderly arranged, so that thecarbon nanotube structure including ordered carbon nanotubes is anordered carbon nanotube structure. The term ‘ordered carbon nanotubestructure’ refers to a structure where the carbon nanotubes are arrangedin a consistently systematic manner, e.g., the carbon nanotubes arearranged approximately along a same direction and/or have two or moresections within each of which the carbon nanotubes are arrangedapproximately along a same direction (different sections can havedifferent directions). The carbon nanotubes can be aligned approximatelyalong a same direction from the first electrode 14 to the secondelectrode 16. The carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube structure canbe single-walled, double-walled, or multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Adiameter of each single-walled carbon nanotube ranges from about 0.5nanometer (nm) to about 50 nm. A diameter of each double-walled carbonnanotube ranges from about 1 nm to about 50 nm. A diameter of eachmulti-walled carbon nanotube ranges from about 1.5 nm to about 50 nm.

The carbon nanotube structure can be a free-standing structure. Thefree-standing structure means the carbon nanotube structure can keep acertain shape without any supporter, which is different from powder orliquid. The carbon nanotube structure includes a plurality of carbonnanotubes joined to each other by van der Waals attractive forcetherebetween, thereby forming a certain shape. The carbon nanotubestructure includes at least one carbon nanotube film, at least onecarbon nanotube wire structure, or a combination thereof.

Carbon Nanotube Film

In one embodiment, the carbon nanotube film includes at least one carbonnanotube segment. Referring to FIG. 2, each carbon nanotube segment 143includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes 145 approximately parallel toeach other, and combined by van der Waals attractive force therebetween.The carbon nanotube segments 143 can vary in width, thickness,uniformity, and shape. The carbon nanotubes 145 in the carbon nanotubesegments 143 are also oriented along a preferred orientation.

Carbon Nanotube Film Manufactured by Method 1

In one embodiment, the carbon nanotube film can be drawn from a carbonnanotube array, to form a drawn carbon nanotube film. In the presentembodiment, the drawn carbon nanotube film can be pulled out from asuper-aligned carbon nanotube array on a substrate. The drawn carbonnanotube film includes a plurality of successive and oriented carbonnanotubes 145 joined end to end by van der Waals attractive force.Referring to FIG. 3, each drawn carbon nanotube film includes aplurality of successively oriented carbon nanotube segments 143 joinedend-to-end by van der Waals attractive force therebetween. The thicknessof the drawn carbon nanotube film is in a range from about 0.5 nm toabout 100 micrometers (μm). Examples of a drawn carbon nanotube film istaught by U.S. Pat. No. 7,045,108 to Jiang et al., and WO 2007015710 toZhang et al.

Carbon Nanotube Film Manufactured by Method 2

In another embodiment, the carbon nanotube film comprises of one carbonnanotube segment 143. Referring to FIG. 4, the carbon nanotube segment143 includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes 145 substantially arrangedalong a same direction. The carbon nanotubes 145 in the carbon nanotubefilm are substantially parallel to each other and have almost equallengths, and are combined side by side via van der Waals attractiveforce therebetween. The width of the carbon nanotube film is equal tothe length of the carbon nanotubes 145, thus at least one carbonnanotube 145 spans the entire width of the carbon nanotube film. Thecarbon nanotube film can be produced by growing a strip-shaped carbonnanotube array, and pushing the strip-shaped carbon nanotube array downalong a direction substantially perpendicular to a length of thestrip-shaped carbon nanotube array, and has a length of about 20 μm toabout 10 millimeters (mm). The length of the carbon nanotube film isonly limited by the length of the strip. A larger carbon nanotube filmalso can be formed by having a plurality of the strips lined up side byside and folding the carbon nanotubes 145 grown thereon over such thatthere is overlap between the carbon nanotubes 145 on adjacent strips.

Carbon Nanotube Film Manufactured by Method 3

In some embodiments, the carbon nanotube film comprising one carbonnanotube segment 143 can also be produced by a method adopting a“kite-mechanism.” The carbon nanotube film can have carbon nanotubes 145with a length greater than 10 centimeters (cm). Specifically, the carbonnanotube film can be produced by providing a growing substrate with acatalyst layer located thereon, placing the growing substrate adjacentto the insulating substrate in a chamber, heating the chamber to agrowth temperature for carbon nanotubes 145 under a protective gas,introducing a carbon source gas along a gas flow direction, and growinga plurality of carbon nanotubes 145 on the insulating substrate. Afterintroducing the carbon source gas into the chamber, the carbon nanotubes145 will start to grow under the effect of the catalyst. One end (e.g.,the root) of the carbon nanotubes 145 is fixed on the growing substrate,and the other end (e.g., the top/free end) of the carbon nanotubes 145will grow continuously. The growing substrate is near an inlet of theintroduced carbon source gas, such that the carbon nanotubes 145 floatabove the insulating substrate with the roots of the carbon nanotubes145 still attached on the growing substrate, as the carbon source gas iscontinuously introduced into the chamber. The length of the carbonnanotubes 145 depends on the growth conditions. After growth has beenstopped, the carbon nanotubes 145 are disposed entirely on theinsulating substrate. The carbon nanotubes 145 roots are then separatedfrom the growing substrate. This can be repeated many times to obtainmany layers of carbon nanotube films on a single insulating substrate.The adjacent carbon nanotubes 145 can be adhered together by van derWaals attractive force therebetween and being substantially parallel toeach other, with a distance of adjacent carbon nanotubes 145 being lessthan 5 μm.

The carbon nanotube structure can include at least two stacked and/orcoplanar carbon nanotube films. These coplanar carbon nanotube films canalso be stacked one upon other films. The carbon nanotubes 145 in twoadjacent carbon nanotube films are substantially parallel. Adjacentcarbon nanotube films can be combined only by the van der Waalsattractive force therebetween. The number of layers of the carbonnanotube films is not limited, so that a carbon nanotube structure canhave different widths and areas. Stacking the carbon nanotube films willadd to the structural strength of the carbon nanotube structure.

Carbon Nanotube Wire Structure

In other embodiments, the carbon nanotube structure includes one or morecarbon nanotube wire structures. The carbon nanotube wire structureincludes carbon nanotube cables that comprise of twisted carbon nanotubewires, untwisted carbon nanotube wires, or combinations thereof. Thecarbon nanotube cable comprises of two or more carbon nanotube wires,twisted or untwisted, that are twisted or bundled together. The carbonnanotube wires in the carbon nanotube wire structure can besubstantially parallel to each other to form a bundle-like structure ortwisted with each other to form a twisted structure. When the carbonnanotube structure includes a plurality of carbon nanotube wirestructures, the carbon nanotube wire structures can be coplanar andsubstantially parallel to each other, or stacked and substantiallyparallel to each other. Referring to FIG. 5, when the carbon nanotubestructure includes one carbon nanotube wire structure, the carbonnanotube wire structure bends orderly in a surface, thereby forming aplanar structure, and the carbon nanotube wires of the carbon nanotubewire structure are substantially parallel to each other and arrangedside by side besides the bend portions.

The non-twisted carbon nanotube wire can be formed by treating the drawncarbon nanotube film with an organic solvent. Specifically, the drawncarbon nanotube film is treated by applying the organic solvent to thedrawn carbon nanotube film to soak the entire surface of the drawncarbon nanotube film. After being soaked by the organic solvent, theadjacent parallel carbon nanotubes in the drawn carbon nanotube filmwill bundle together, due to the surface tension of the volatile organicsolvent as the organic solvent volatilizes, and thus, the drawn carbonnanotube film will be shrunk into a non-twisted carbon nanotube wire.Referring to FIG. 6, the non-twisted carbon nanotube wire includes aplurality of carbon nanotubes substantially oriented along a samedirection (e.g., a direction along the length of the non-twisted carbonnanotube wire). The carbon nanotubes are substantially parallel to theaxis of the non-twisted carbon nanotube wire. Specifically, thenon-twisted carbon nanotube wire includes a plurality of carbon nanotubesegments joined end-to-end by van der Waals attractive forcetherebetween. Each carbon nanotube segment includes a plurality ofcarbon nanotubes substantially parallel to each other and combined byvan der Waals attractive force. A length of the non-twisted carbonnanotube wire can be arbitrarily set as desired. A diameter of thenon-twisted carbon nanotube wire can range from about 0.5 nm to about100 μm. In one embodiment, the diameter of the non-twisted carbonnanotube wire is about 50 μm. Examples of the non-twisted carbonnanotube wire is taught by US Patent Application Publication US2007/0166223 to Jiang et al.

The twisted carbon nanotube wire can be formed by twisting a drawncarbon nanotube film by using a mechanical force to turn the two ends ofthe drawn carbon nanotube film in opposite directions. Referring to FIG.7, the twisted carbon nanotube wire includes a plurality of carbonnanotubes oriented around an axial direction of the twisted carbonnanotube wire. The carbon nanotubes are aligned in a helix around theaxis of the carbon nanotube twisted wire. More specifically, the twistedcarbon nanotube wire includes a plurality of successive carbon nanotubesegments joined end-to-end by van der Waals attractive forcetherebetween. Each carbon nanotube segment includes a plurality ofcarbon nanotubes substantially parallel to each other and combined byvan der Waals attractive force. The carbon nanotube segment hasarbitrary length, thickness, uniformity, and shape. A length of thecarbon nanotube wire can be arbitrarily set as desired. A diameter ofthe twisted carbon nanotube wire can range from about 0.5 nm to about100 μm. Further, the twisted carbon nanotube wire can be treated with avolatile organic solvent, before or after being twisted. After beingsoaked by the organic solvent, the adjacent parallel carbon nanotubes inthe twisted carbon nanotube wire will bundle together, due to thesurface tension of the organic solvent as the organic solventvolatilizes. The specific surface area of the twisted carbon nanotubewire will decrease, but the density and strength of the twisted carbonnanotube wire will increase. It is understood that the twisted andnon-twisted carbon nanotube cables can be produced by methods that aresimilar to the methods of making twisted and non-twisted carbon nanotubewires.

The mechanical stability of the apparatus 10 can be improved because thecarbon nanotube wire structure has a higher strength. Thus, the lifespanof the apparatus 10 can be prolonged.

In one embodiment, the carbon nanotube structure is composed of at leastone carbon nanotube film and at least one carbon nanotube wirestructure. The carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube film aresubstantially parallel to the carbon nanotube wire structures.

The carbon nanotubes are close to an absolute blackbody. The carbonnanotubes have nearly uniform absorption ability over the entireelectromagnetic spectrum including radio, microwave through farinfrared, near infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays, highenergy gamma rays, and so on. The carbon nanotube structure absorbs theelectromagnetic wave and converts the electromagnetic energy into heatenergy. The heat capacity per unit area of the carbon nanotube structureis extremely low, the heat capacity per unit area of the carbon nanotubestructure can be less than 2×10⁻⁴ J/cm²·K. In one embodiment, the heatcapacity per unit area of the carbon nanotube structure is less than orequal to about 1.7×10⁻⁶ J/cm²·K, thus, the temperature of the carbonnanotubes can be rapidly changed by the intensity change of the inputelectromagnetic waves. The resistance of the carbon nanotube structurechanges according to the temperature changes of the carbon nanotubestructure. Therefore, the carbon nanotube structure can detect theintensity of electromagnetic waves in the range from microwatts tokilowatts.

In addition, in the carbon nanotube structure, the carbon nanotubes aresubstantially parallel and extend along a same direction, and thus, theelectromagnetic wave is selectively absorbed by the carbon nanotubestructure. The oscillations of the electromagnetic wave are in the planeperpendicular to the wave's direction of travel. In one embodiment, theelectromagnetic wave's travel direction is substantially perpendicularto the surface of the carbon nanotube structure. The electromagneticwave with oscillation (or oscillation vector) direction substantiallyparallel to the length orientation of the carbon nanotubes in the carbonnanotube structure is absorbed by the carbon nanotube structure. Theelectromagnetic wave with the oscillation (or oscillation vector)direction perpendicular to the length orientation of the carbonnanotubes in the carbon nanotube structure passes through the carbonnanotube structure. Thus, the electromagnetic wave with polarizingdirection parallel to the length orientation of the carbon nanotubes isabsorbed the most by the carbon nanotube structure. The electromagneticwave with polarizing direction perpendicular to the length orientationof the carbon nanotubes mostly passes through the carbon nanotubestructure. Changes in electromagnetic wave absorption intensity inducechanges in the temperature of the carbon nanotube structure. Theresistance of the carbon nanotube structure changes with respect to thechanges in temperature of the carbon nanotube structure. The strongerthe electromagnetic wave absorption of the carbon nanotube structure,the higher the temperature of the carbon nanotube structure, and thesmaller the resistance of the carbon nanotube structure, and vice versa.The carbon nanotube structure can measure the intensity and polarizingdirection of the electromagnetic wave according to the resistancechanges of the carbon nanotube structure.

In one embodiment, the thickness of the carbon nanotube structure isabout 0.5 nm to about 1 mm. The thickness of the carbon nanotubestructure cannot be too thick such that the relative high heat capacityof the carbon nanotube structure will lower the temperature changesunder electromagnetic illumination. Meanwhile, the thicker the carbonnanotube structure, the smaller the effective surface area will be. Thereduction in the effective surface area will hamper sufficient heatexchange with the environment medium which results in a small responsetime of the apparatus 10. Furthermore, the thickness of the carbonnanotube structure cannot be too thin. If the thickness of the carbonnanotube structure is too thin, the carbon nanotube structure will beweak and can be easily damaged in the process of detectingelectromagnetic waves, thereby reducing the lifespan of the carbonnanotube structure.

The first electrode 14 and the second electrode 16 are made ofconductive material. The shape of the first electrode 14 or the secondelectrode 16 is not limited and can be lamellar, rod, wire, block, orother shapes. A material of the first and second electrodes 14, 16 canbe one or more of metals, conductive adhesive, carbon nanotube, indiumtin oxide, or other material. In one embodiment, the first electrode 14and the second electrode 16 are rod-shaped metal electrodes. The carbonnanotubes in the carbon nanotube structure extend along a direction fromthe first electrode 14 to the second electrode 16. Some of the carbonnanotube structures have large specific surface area and better adhesionability under the effect of the van der Waals attractive force and canbe adhered directly to the first electrode 14 and the second electrode16. This will result in good electrical contact between the carbonnanotube structure and the first and second electrodes 14, 16.Furthermore, a conductive adhesive layer (not shown) can be furtherprovided between the first electrode 14 and/or the second electrode 16and the carbon nanotube structure. The conductive adhesive layer can beapplied to the surface of the carbon nanotube structure to provideelectrical contact and better adhesion between the first and secondelectrodes 14, 16 and the carbon nanotube structure.

In one embodiment, the apparatus 10 can further include a supportingstructure 17 to support the carbon nanotube structure. The carbonnanotube structure can be located on a surface of the supportingstructure 17. Specifically, at least a part of the carbon nanotubestructure can be adhered on the supporting structure 17 by a binder ormerely by itself according to its adhesive nature. The supportingstructure 17 can be made of a material having a relatively low thermalconductivity such as glass, rigid plastic, wood, or ceramic.

Further, for quantitatively measuring the polarizing direction and theintensity of the electromagnetic wave, the apparatus 10 can be connectedto an electric circuit. The measuring device 18 can be an electriccurrent measuring device (e.g., an ammeter) or a voltage measuringdevice (e.g., a voltmeter). In one embodiment, the electric currentmeasuring device is adopted.

A method for measuring the intensity of an electromagnetic wave usingthe apparatus 10 can include:

(a) measuring the resistance R0 of the carbon nanotube structure withoutirradiated by the electromagnetic wave;

(b) irradiating the electromagnetic wave sensor 12 with anelectromagnetic wave with determined intensity Is, and measuring thecorresponding resistance Rs of the carbon nanotube structure using themeasuring device 18, then calculating the resistance change rate(R0−Rs)/R0; and

(c) repeating step (b) to obtain the relationship between the intensityof the electromagnetic waves and the resistance change rate (R0−Rs)/R0;and

(d) irradiating the electromagnetic wave sensor 12 with anelectromagnetic wave having an unknown intensity I to be measured, andmeasuring the resistance R of the carbon nanotube structure using themeasuring device 18, then calculating the resistance change rate(R0−R)/R0. Thus, the corresponding electromagnetic intensity I can bedetermined according to the obtained relationship between the intensityof the electromagnetic waves and the resistance change rate (R0−Rs)/R0in step (c).

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the relation between a resistance changerate of the carbon nanotube film and a response time T of the carbonnanotube film when a carbon nanotube film is irradiated periodically bya same electromagnetic wave in vacuum and in air is shown. The carbonnanotube film used was a drawn carbon nanotube film. R_(dark) representsthe resistance of the non-irradiated carbon nanotube film, and R_(IR)represents the resistance of the carbon nanotube film when beingirradiated. The longitudinal axis (R_(dark)−R_(IR))/R_(dark) representsthe resistance change rate of the carbon nanotube film. The horizontalaxis represents the response time T of the carbon nanotube film. Theresponse time T of the carbon nanotube film is shorter at the beginningand the end of each period, wherein one period means a period duringwhich the carbon nanotube film is continuously irradiated with anelectromagnetic wave. The response time T is only about 15 milliseconds(ms) to about 50 ms at the time of the beginning and the end of eachperiod. The response time T in vacuum is shorter than the response timein air.

Referring to FIG. 10, a second embodiment of an apparatus 20 fordetecting electromagnetic waves includes an electromagnetic wave sensor22, a first electrode 24, and a second electrode 26. The first electrode24 and the second electrode 26 are spaced apart from each other andelectrically connected to the electromagnetic wave sensor 22. Theapparatus 20 further includes a supporting structure 27 to support theelectromagnetic wave sensor 22 and a measuring device 28 electricallyconnected to the electromagnetic wave sensor 22 by the first electrode24 and the second electrode 26.

The apparatus 20 of the second embodiment is the same as the firstembodiment except the electromagnetic wave sensor 22, which is a carbonnanotube composite structure, is different from the electromagnetic wavesensor 22 of the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 11, the carbonnanotube composite structure includes at least one polymer materiallayer 222 and a carbon nanotube structure 224 composited with thepolymer material layer 222. The carbon nanotube structure 224 is thesame as the carbon nanotube structure of the first embodiment. Thecarbon nanotube structure 224 includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes,and a plurality of micropores defined by the adjacent carbon nanotubes.The polymer material in the polymer material layer 222 is at leastpartially penetrated in the micropores. The material of the polymermaterial layer 222 can be a light transmission organic polymer such aspolymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, poly(ethyl acrylate), andpoly(butyl acrylate).

Specifically, the method for fabricating the carbon nanotube compositestructure can include: (a) immersing the carbon nanotube structure 224in an organic solvent, or coating an organic solvent on the surfaces ofthe carbon nanotube structure 224; and (b) curing the organic solvent.

The polymer material layer 222 can further strengthen theelectromagnetic wave sensor 22, thereby enlarging the application rangeof the electromagnetic wave measuring device 20.

The method for detecting the intensity of electromagnetic waves usingthe apparatus 20 is the same as the method using the apparatus 10 of thefirst embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 12, a method for detecting a polarizing direction ofan electromagnetic wave includes:

(a) providing an apparatus 10, the apparatus 10 includes anelectromagnetic wave sensor 12, the electromagnetic wave sensor 12includes a carbon nanotube structure;

(b) irradiating the electromagnetic wave sensor 12 in the apparatus 10with a electromagnetic wave with the polarizing direction to bemeasured, thereby changing the resistance of the carbon nanotubestructure;

(c) rotating the electromagnetic wave sensor 12 and measuring theresistance of the carbon nanotube structure during rotation, therebymeasuring the polarizing direction of the electromagnetic wave.

In step (a), the apparatus 10 for detecting the electromagnetic waveincludes an electromagnetic wave sensor 12, a first electrode 14, and asecond electrode 16. The electromagnetic wave sensor 12 includes acarbon nanotube structure. The carbon nanotube structure includes aplurality of carbon nanotubes substantially extending along a samedirection from the first electrode 12 to the second electrode 14. Thecarbon nanotube structure can include a plurality of carbon nanotubessubstantially parallel to each other, and the carbon nanotubes in thecarbon nanotube structure are approximately parallel to a surfacethereof.

In step (b), the electromagnetic wave irradiates the surface of thecarbon nanotube structure. The electromagnetic wave with polarizingdirection parallel to the length orientation of the carbon nanotubes isabsorbed the most by the carbon nanotube structure. The electromagneticwave with polarizing direction perpendicular to the length orientationof the carbon nanotubes mostly just passes through the carbon nanotubestructure. The difference of the electromagnetic wave absorptionintensity at different orientations of the carbon nanotube structureinduces temperature changes in the carbon nanotube structure, therebychanging the resistance of the carbon nanotube structure. The strongerthe electromagnetic wave absorption of the carbon nanotube structure,the higher the temperature of the carbon nanotube structure, and thesmaller the resistance of the carbon nanotube structure, and vice versa.Therefore, when the angle between the polarizing direction of theelectromagnetic wave and the length orientation of the carbon nanotubesin the carbon nanotube structure changes, the resistance of the carbonnanotube structure changes correspondingly.

In step (c), when the electromagnetic wave sensor 12 is rotated, theangle between the polarizing direction of the electromagnetic wave andthe length orientation of the carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotubestructure can cause changes. The resistance of the carbon nanotubestructure can be measured during rotation, thereby measuring thepolarizing direction of the electromagnetic wave.

The method for detecting the polarizing direction of electromagneticwaves using the apparatus 20 is the same as the method using theapparatus 10 of the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 13, in one embodiment, the relationship between theresistance of the carbon nanotube structure and the angle between thepolarizing direction of the electromagnetic wave and the lengthorientation of the carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube structure isshown. When the angle between the polarizing direction of theelectromagnetic wave and the length orientation of the carbon nanotubesin the carbon nanotube structure is 90 degrees, the resistance of thecarbon nanotube structure is at a maximum. When the angle between thepolarizing direction of the electromagnetic wave and the lengthorientation of the carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube structure is0 degrees, the resistance of the carbon nanotube structure is at aminimum. Therefore, when the resistance of the carbon nanotube structureis maximum, the polarizing direction of the electromagnetic wave isperpendicular to the aligned direction of the carbon nanotubes in thecarbon nanotube structure.

The carbon nanotube structure includes a plurality of carbon nanotubesaligned approximately along a same direction, thus the electromagneticwave sensor 12, 22 has better conductivity and faster response time, andthe apparatus 10, 20 can measure the intensity and the polarizingdirection of the electromagnetic wave. Further, the carbon nanotubestructure has a free standing structure, thus the electromagnetic wavesensor 12, 22 has higher strength and better stability, and theapparatus 10, 20 has better stability and longer lifespan. The methodfor measuring the electromagnetic wave is simple. The polarizingdirection of the electromagnetic wave can be simply measured by rotatingthe carbon nanotube structure, measuring the resistance of the carbonnanotube structure during rotation, and determining the directionperpendicular to the aligned direction of the carbon nanotubes in thecarbon nanotube structure when the maximum resistance is achieved.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are intendedto illustrate rather than limit the disclosure. Variations may be madeto the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention asclaimed. The above-described embodiments illustrate the scope of theinvention but do not restrict the scope of the invention.

It is also to be understood that above description and the claims drawnto a method may include some indication in reference to certain steps.However, the indication used is only to be viewed for identificationpurposes and not as a suggestion as to an order for the steps.

1. An apparatus for detecting an electromagnetic wave, the apparatuscomprising: an electromagnetic wave sensor receiving the electromagneticwave to be measured, the electromagnetic wave sensor comprising afree-standing carbon nanotube structure, the carbon nanotube structurecomprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes extending substantially alonga same direction; a first electrode and a second electrode spaced fromeach other and electrically connected to the carbon nanotube structure;and a measuring device electrically connected to the first electrode andthe second electrode to measure a resistance of the carbon nanotubestructure.
 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carbonnanotubes extend from the first electrode to the second electrode. 3.The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carbon nanotubestructure comprises at least one carbon nanotube film, the at least onecarbon nanotube film comprises the plurality of carbon nanotubesapproximately parallel to a surface of the at least one carbon nanotubefilm.
 4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the carbonnanotube structure comprises a plurality of stacked or coplanar carbonnanotube films.
 5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein thecarbon nanotube structure comprises at least one carbon nanotube wirestructure.
 6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the carbonnanotube structure comprises a carbon wire structure orderly bent in asurface.
 7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein a plurality ofcarbon nanotube wire structures is approximately parallel to each other.8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one carbonnanotube wire structure comprises at least one non-twisted carbonnanotube wire, the at least one non-twisted carbon nanotube wirecomprises the plurality of carbon nanotubes parallel to an axis of theat least one non-twisted carbon nanotube wire.
 9. The apparatus asclaimed in claim 5, wherein the carbon nanotube wire structure comprisesat least one twisted carbon nanotube wire, the at least one twistedcarbon nanotube wire comprises the plurality of carbon nanotubes alignedin a helix around an axis of the at least one carbon nanotube twistedwire.
 10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising asupporting structure, wherein the carbon nanotube structure in theelectromagnetic wave sensor is supported by the supporting structure.11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring device isa current measuring device or a voltage measuring device.
 12. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carbon nanotube structureis a drawn carbon nanotube film.
 13. The apparatus as claimed in claim1, wherein the carbon nanotube structure is a carbon nanotube filmcomprising the plurality of carbon nanotubes, at least one of theplurality of carbon nanotubes spans an entire length of the carbonnanotube film.
 14. An apparatus for detecting an electromagnetic wave,the apparatus comprising: an electromagnetic wave sensor receiving theelectromagnetic wave to be measured, the electromagnetic wave sensorcomprising a carbon nanotube composite structure, the carbon nanotubecomposite structure comprising at least one polymer material layer and acarbon nanotube structure composited with the at least one polymermaterial layer, the carbon nanotube structure comprising a plurality ofcarbon nanotubes extending substantially along a same direction; a firstelectrode and a second electrode spaced from each other and electricallyconnected to the carbon nanotube composite structure; and a measuringdevice electrically connected to the first electrode and the secondelectrode to measure a resistance of the carbon nanotube compositestructure.
 15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the carbonnanotubes extend from the first electrode to the second electrode. 16.The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein a material of the at leastone polymer material layer is light transmission organic polymer. 17.The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the carbon nanotubestructure defines a plurality of micropores, the light transmissionorganic polymer is at least partially penetrated in the plurality ofmicropores.
 18. An apparatus for detecting a polarization direction ofan electromagnetic wave, the apparatus comprising: an electromagneticwave sensor receiving the electromagnetic wave to be measured, theelectromagnetic wave sensor comprising at least one free-standing carbonnanotube film, the at least one carbon nanotube film comprising aplurality of carbon nanotubes extending substantially along a samedirection; a first electrode and a second electrode spaced from eachother and electrically connected to the at least one carbon nanotubefilm; and a measuring device electrically connected to the firstelectrode and the second electrode to measure a resistance of the atleast one carbon nanotube film.
 19. The apparatus as claimed in claim18, wherein the electromagnetic wave sensor comprises a plurality ofcarbon nanotube films, the plurality of carbon nanotubes in two adjacentcarbon nanotube films is substantially parallel to each other.
 20. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of carbonnanotubes is joined to each other by van der Waals attractive force.